An Easy Change to Improve Your Health

Going out to eat used to be a once-in-a-while treat reserved for a birthday, or sports team win. During the late 70s and early 80s it was special and rare for us to take our boys to McDonalds in England (where we lived).

A recent article by fooducate.com reminded me of this … and that, these days, children and adults are spending more time and money on fast food than ever. The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) compared the source of calories in Americans’ diet during the seventies and in the first decade of the current millennium.

Calories from fast food consumption almost quadrupled from 3.1% to 13.3% in just 30 years, and, of course, fewer calories are being consumed at home.

The problem with eating out is that the nutritional quality of the food is often lower than even the worst meals at home. Restaurant food tends to be higher in calories; serving sizes are huge; and unhealthy fats and sodium levels are astronomical, sometimes reaching an entire day’s worth in just one meal.

Carbs are usually low quality and most meals consumed in fast food places, even high-end establishments, tend to be low in fiber and other important nutrients.

Solution? Eat more food at home. Eat more food that was made at home. You’ll be able to control the ingredients and the portion size.